What’s so uncool about cool churches? Unintended Consequences: How the “relevant” church and segregating youth is killing Christianity. by Matt Marino, September 23, 2012 * * * Matt Marino is an Episcopal priest, the Director of Youth and Young Adults for the Diocese of Arizona, who recently did ministry as a hospice chaplain. He has workedContinue reading “Yet Another “Wake Up!” Call”
Category Archives: Evangelical Issues
Thom Rainer on Megachurch Trends
The churches in the U.S. that get the most public attention are the megachurches. Dr. Thom Rainer, the president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources (SBC), is a leader in a denomination that has always put the spotlight on large and growing congregations. In a recent article, Rainer listed seven trends he sees in megachurchesContinue reading “Thom Rainer on Megachurch Trends”
Another Look: How I Got to “OK”
Note from CM: For the past couple of days I’ve been trying to write a post summarizing our discussions on the kind of discipleship being promoted by teachers like Francis Chan. I’ve made fits and starts and have not been satisfied with how the words were coming out. Then, in looking through the archives, IContinue reading “Another Look: How I Got to “OK””
No Super-Christians
Would you describe yourself as totally in love with Jesus Christ? Or do the words halfhearted, lukewarm, and partially committed fit better? – Francis Chan, Crazy Love * * * We’ve been having quite a discussion since I posted Francis Chan’s video about “Aging Biblically” yesterday and said that I found it worthy of a rant. ThoughContinue reading “No Super-Christians”
“Normal” Is Not Enough?
Update: several have noted the plane crash last Friday, in which Ron Luce’s daughter was seriously injured. Out of respect for the Teen Mania family, please stick to the concept we’re discussing and do not direct your comments at this specific ministry. Note: This post is NOT a specific critique of the ministry cited. Please don’tContinue reading ““Normal” Is Not Enough?”
Leaving Revivalism Behind?
Are evangelicals moving away from revivalism? Gordon T. Smith thinks they may be. In a provocative article at Christianity Today, Smith suggests that evangelicals are moving toward a new perspective on conversion that is leading to changes in the way they do church. “It is not be an overstatement to say that evangelicals are experiencingContinue reading “Leaving Revivalism Behind?”
Stetzer on Surviving Unhealthy Christian Organizations
Saturday, I read this excellent article by Ed Stetzer: “Considering (and Surviving) Unhealthy Christian Organizations.” It is part one of a series, and I look forward to reading further. Stetzer describes the “quandry” of the unhealthy Christian organization like this: “It often does good things on the outside while destroying the soul of those onContinue reading “Stetzer on Surviving Unhealthy Christian Organizations”
iMonk Classic: Special Needs Members OR How I Was Right and Wrong About Baptizing An Autistic Boy
Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer from October 2009 Note from CM: In the Lutheran tradition, the debate described in this post would not have occurred. I present this today because (1) we have had some discussion this week about children with special needs, and (2) many of our readers come from credo-baptist traditions whereContinue reading “iMonk Classic: Special Needs Members OR How I Was Right and Wrong About Baptizing An Autistic Boy”
We Point People to Jesus
A Letter for the Church Today (6, conclusion) A Study of 2 Corinthians 10-13 “Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” • 2Corinthians 13:11, NRSV • • • It’s decision timeContinue reading “We Point People to Jesus”
We Don’t Advertise Our Spiritual Experiences
A Letter for the Church Today (5) A Study of 2 Corinthians 10-13 Nothing sells like religious experience. Currently, the number one book on the New York Times paperback nonfiction bestsellers list is Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back, the story of a child whoContinue reading “We Don’t Advertise Our Spiritual Experiences”
The Internet Monk Archives 